PressEthic

In yet another example of why Rush Limbaugh is a big, fat idiot, check out this article which describes the talk show host's latest attack on liberals. His most recent target: Michael J. Fox, who filmed a political ad in support of stem cell research as part of Claire McCaskill's political campaign. McCaskill is running for Senate in Missouri against Republican James M. Talent. You can view the ad here. So what did Limbaugh, in full right-wing smear mode, have to say about this?

"He is exaggerating the effects of the disease," Limbaugh told listeners today, encouraging them to go online to watch Fox's commercial, which first aired Oct. 21 in St. Louis during a World Series game. "He's moving all around and shaking and it's purely an act."

Perhaps Limbaugh has no idea what Parkinson's disease is. If he did just the smallest bit of research, he'd find that Fox's behavior (not only in this ad but in all of his public appearances since contracting the disease) is not atypical for someone with Parkinson's.

But enough of this "logic," let's hear what else Limbaugh has to say.

"This is the only time I've ever seen Michael J. Fox portray any of the symptoms of the disease he has," Limbaugh said. "He can barely control himself."

Limbaugh said Fox could "control himself enough to stay in the frame of the picture" and to keep "his eyes right on the . . . teleprompter. But his head and shoulders are moving all over the place."

"He is acting like his disease is deteriorating because Jim Talent opposes research that would help him get cured," Limbaugh said, adding that Talent only opposes "fetal stem cell research, but not adult."

"This is really shameless of Michael J. Fox," Limbaugh said. "Either he didn't take his medication or he's acting."

Now, there are plenty of wackos in this country on both sides of the political spectrum. But few get their views into major newspapers such as the Washington Post, and countless other publications (a simple search on google news in relation to the Limbaugh/Fox story results in over 250 results). To be fair, Limbaugh is very much aware of his deception, and is an absolute master at spinning news. His style of bashing liberals and inserting right-wing propaganda into news is very much a precursor to Fox News.

But unfortunately, Limbaugh's opinions are not of some random person on the street. Limbaugh has one of the largest radio audiences in the country, if not the largest. That's a scary thought.